Women who have breast volume loss or sagging breasts often wonder if their breasts can be improved with implants, or if a Breast Reduction or Lift will be needed to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing outcome.
There are several surgical techniques plastic surgeons can utilise to help you inflate and or lift your breasts to make a more youthful and perky appearance, including Augmentation, Breast/Nipple Lift – a combination of these procedures or a Breast Reduction.
The only way to determine which surgical procedure is suitable for your individual anatomy is to have a surgical assessment at a reputable clinic like Jade cosmetic surgery. During the evaluation, the surgeon will thoroughly analyse the condition of your breasts and then determine which techniques will, in their expert opinion, create the best outcome for you.
What is a Breast Lift?
Women may experience loss of breast volume and sagging for a number of reasons including pregnancy, weight loss/gain, ageing, or even just your genetics! As the breasts droop, the volume is lost, and the skin surrounding the breasts stretches, resulting in breasts losing their perky and youthful-looking shape. A Breast Lift procedure can restore your breasts to their proper position on the chest, tighten the skin, even the breast size and shape and restore your areola to a more aesthetically pleasing position and shape.
How do you know if you need a breast lift?
Before you have your breasts examined by a Plastic Surgeon, there are some signs to look for:
- If your breasts lack volume or firmness
- Your breast tissue sags below your breast crease
- Your nipples point downward
- Your nipples are positioned below the breast crease
- You have asymmetry
- You have an unusual breast shape
Breast Lift + Augmentation
A Breast Lift will lift your nipples & breasts, decrease the overall size of your breasts and add minimal breast volume. If you have a significant amount of breast tissue available and are happy with the size of your breasts in a non-padded bra then, depending on your desired outcome, you may only require a Breast Lift. Some women who have mild sagging can create more lift by having Teardrop implants. This shaped implant can push out the sagging breast tissue and create a natural perkier breast without needing a breast lift technique.
Breast Reduction
Overly large breasts can cause severe discomfort for some women, as well as numerous health issues and physical pain. A Breast Reduction involves getting rid of the skin, fat and glandular tissue to decrease the weight and size of your breasts, alleviating discomfort and pain caused by the weight on your chest and creating a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and improve self-esteem and comfort.
Breast Reduction can be used in conjunction with breast implants to create fuller, firmer and perkier breasts. You may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery if:
- You have overly large breasts
- You suffer from neck, shoulder and back pain caused by the heavy weight of your breasts
- You have developed a skin condition beneath the breast crease
- Your breasts hang low and have stretched skin
- You have trouble buying bras to fit you
- You are a healthy weight
- You have realistic expectations
Breast Lift & Breast Reduction Scaring
Breast Reduction and Breast Lift surgery does involve some scarring. Initially, your scars will be sensitive and quite noticeable. However, your wounds will fade over time. The degree of fading will depend on your skin quality, your skin pigment and post-surgery care.
Breast Reduction techniques include either a Lollipop incision or an Anchor incision. There are scar-minimising products available that may help scars fade such as oils, creams and gels which aim to reduce the severity — again the effectiveness depends on the individual. Often these products cannot be used until after a certain waiting period to ensure there is no risk of infection. Thus, it is extremely important that scar creams are used ONLY if your surgeon has given the Okay.
